Imipenem therapy for septicemic melioidosis in a child with penicillin and cephalosporin adverse reaction

Abstract

The recommended treatment for severe melioidosis is ceftazidime or a combination of ceftazidime and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX). Amoxicillin-clavulanate has been shown to be an effective alternative therapy. In patient who is allergic to penicillin and cephalosporin, imipenem an alternative drug may be used. We described a 10 year-old boy who was diagnosed as septicemic melioidosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus. He developed fever and rash while being given ceftazidime and TMP/SMX. The fever recurred when amoxicillin-clavulanate was administered orally. He was successfully treated with imipenem.